Vocabulary Exercise #17: Synonyms of "Thief" (Part 1)

Communicative Objective: Describing Thieves

Context: Categories of Thieves

Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the noun “thief.” Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each word.

1.   burglar: (noun) someone who robs a home  

Example: Shhh! I think I hear a burglar!

2.   conman: (noun) someone who robs by tricking people

Example: Nicholas Cage portrayed a conman in the 2003 film Matchstick Men.

3.   looter: (noun) someone who robs during an emergency

Example: Looters were common following Hurricane Katrina.

4.   mugger: (noun) someone who robs someone else in public

Example: Muggers were a major problem in New York in the 1980s.

5.   pickpocket: (noun) someone who robs someone else deftly and secretly

Example: Many pickpockets worldwide are children.

Part 2, Reading Exercise: Complete the reading passage with the most appropriate vocabulary.

    A major drawback to urban living is crime, the most common example of which is thieves, who come in all shapes and sizes and plague cities around the world.

      As any police department will advise, _____ most often strike when one is away from home. As this is most likely to occur during the summer and during the day, one should most be on guard at this time.    

     Although the most innocuous of thieves, _____ are responsible for millions of dollars in losses each year. Commuters, especially, must be wary as they commonly work public transportation systems.

     A modern development for _____, whose base of operations is often in Nigeria, is to prey upon the gullible through the internet. More local matchstick men, however, often hustle on busy street corners.  

     The most frightening example, of course, is that of _____. These thugs usually injure their victims, sometimes leaving them dead or half-dead. Pedestrians are advised to avoid alleys, especially at night, as these criminals usually lurk in their shadows.

     Finally, in rare cases, otherwise law-abiding citizens may be tempted to become _____ during natural disasters, outbreaks of rioting and, especially, widespread blackouts.  

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

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Answers: 
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http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1